As the Jets get close to training camp, I am going to examine the roster and give you my top 25 players. Each weekday, we will reveal another person on the list, leading right into camp. I am not including rookies on this list because I do not feel it is possible to fully evaluate them before they play a game.

No. 3: Nick Mangold

Last year’s ranking: 3

Position: Center

Age: 30

How acquired: Selected in the first round of the 2006 Draft

Years left on contract: 4

2014 salary cap figure: $7.2 million

Looking back at 2013: Mangold is no longer the game’s best center, as he was a few years ago, but he is still very, very good and a huge piece of the Jets. You could argue Mangold would be the toughest player for the Jets to replace if he were injured.

Mangold got to break in his second rookie quarterback last year, helping Geno Smith along the way. He also had to get used to playing with two new starting guards after spending his entire career next to Brandon Moore and three seasons with Matt Slauson.

Pro Football Focus ranked Mangold 19th out of 35 centers in the NFL. I think that’s a little low. It is hard to measure what a center contributes, but if you talk to Mangold’s teammates and coaches, they gush about him.

Mangold and D’Brickashaw Ferguson are now the longest-tenured Jets, and Mangold is one of the leaders in the locker room. He has seen a ton in his time with the team and is a resource for the younger players.

Outlook for 2014: Mangold has another new face on the offensive line to get up to speed in tackle Breno Giacomini. Things should be smoother for Mangold and the entire offense in the second year under offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg.

Mangold’s play has dipped a little, but it is still at a high level. His salary cap number is the second-highest on the team, and it jumps over $10 million in 2015.

Even at a high price, I think Mangold has several more years left with the Jets. People underrate how important he is. If he misses any games this year, you can be sure it will be evident.